Whether they be novelists, poets, or academics, the creative world of literature is filled with black excellence. Black authors draw inspiration from their unique life experiences and struggles with discrimination and racism to bring a fresh, profound, and insightful perspective to the table – creating some of the most groundbreaking literary works of all time.

From Arab authors in the North Africa region to British authors and African-American authors in the West, the unique life experiences and literary styles of black authors in the diaspora at large have enriched the black community as a whole.

In commemoration of Black History Month, which takes place throughout February, Cosmo ME wants to honour these incredible black authors for their exceptional contributions to the literary world and for being prominent voices for the voiceless.

9 black authors to know about

Layla F. Saad

black authors black history month Layla F. Saad
Via @laylafsaad on Instagram

Layla is a New York Times and Sunday Times best-selling author, an Arab British black Muslim, and a prominent social media figure. The activist has dedicated her life to the study of black culture, race, identity, leadership, personal transformation, and social change. She ultimately seeks to honour her heritage and ancestry by being a force for healing and liberation as well as an inspiration to young black girls and women across the globe.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Me and White Supremacy.

Safia Elhillo

black authors black history month Safia Elhillo
Via @safiamafia on Instagram

Safia Elhillo is a Sudanese-American poet who is renowned for her masterfully written and captivatingly spoken poetry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from New York University and a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in poetry from The New School. In addition to having performed across the globe, the influential 30-year-old author has taught poetry at Stanford’s creative writing department; in addition to receiving the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets, an Arab American Book Award, the 2015 Brunel International African Poetry Prize and being listed in Forbes Africa’s 2018 “30 Under 30.”

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Home Is Not A Country, Girls That Never Die, and The January Children.

Saara El-Arifi

black authors black history month Saara El-Arifi
Via @saaraelarifi on Instagram

Saara is a Sudanese-Ghanian-British Sunday Times bestselling adult fantasy author who channels her rich cultural heritage in her works of art. The influential black author additionally holds a Master’s degree in African Studies.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: The Ending Fire Trilogy

Stella Gaitano

Stella Gaitano black authors black history month
Via @mondiaalnieuws on Instagram

Stella Gaitano is a 45-year-old author and pharmacist from South Sudan. Her stories address the struggles of living in Sudan, be it discrimination or military dictatorship in southern Sudan or war and displacement in northern Sudan. Throughout her studies, she established connections with political activists and intellectuals, which further enriched her writing.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Withered Flowers (2002).

Momtaza Mehri

Momtaza Mehri black history month black authors
Via @thepoetryschool on Instagram

This award-winning, trilingual British-Somali author’s work has been featured in some of the most prestigious magazines in the world. Exploring topics such as identity, the diaspora, and self-expression Momtaza’s writing seeks to make a positive impact and to inspire black authors in her community and beyond to do the same.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Bad Diaspora Poems.

Kopano Matlwa

black history month black authors Kopano Matlwa
Via @aspeninstitute on Instagram

This prominent South African author and public health doctor’s work explores issues of class, race, and colonisation in her country. When she was only 21, she was awarded the European Union Literary Award for her groundbreaking, bestselling debut novel Coconut. The versatile writer defines what it means to be of service to one’s community.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Spilt Milk.

Maya Angelou

black history month black authors Maya Angelou
Via @drmayaangelou on Instagram

The late Maya Angelou needs no introduction, being one of the most esteemed, celebrated, and acclaimed authors in the history of the United States and the world at large. She has received over 50 honorary degrees and a plethora of awards for her highly successful and groundbreaking work – which includes seven autobiographies, several poetry books, and three books of essays. Today, Maya Angelou lives on as a symbol of love, inspiration, and hope.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston black history month black authors
Via @zoranealehurston on Instagram

Portraying the prevalent issues of racial discrimination in the South, the prominent American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker is considered to be one of the most illustrious authors in the history of African American literature.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Bernardine Evaristo

Bernardine Evaristo black history month black authors
Via @bernardineevaristo on Instagram

64-year-old British-Nigerian author Bernardine Evaristo is the first black woman to ever win the Booker Prize, which she received in 2019 for her groundbreaking novel Girl, Woman, Other. Exploring the many facets of the African diaspora in her work, Bernardine is both a Professor of Creative Writing and a literary activist in her community.

📖 Book to add to your reading list: Manifesto: On Never Giving Up.

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